Seasons Change

As spring encroaches upon some parts of the country, I am reminded that change comes to some people before it comes to others*. I've been stuck in my 80 degree home- state since yesterday due to blizzards in Denver. 

This Teenpact season has been a starch contrast from last year. Personally, I find myself in a completely different place in life. Juggling Teenpact on top of a business, a relationship and trying to figure out where God is sending me to school next semester... tis quite a load. 

Traveling and teaching is always a joy. Father is teaching me to love those I serve... even if I don't agree with their life philosophy. I've become pretty disenchanted with the idea of a vast right-wing conspiracy or a Republican God. I'm sure I'll rip out a post one day concerning my "God is a Republican" mentality that I've observed among the conservative community. 

In addition, I've lost most faith that I once had in the home school movement. A post concerning this matter will no doubt appear on this blog at some point as well. 

This summer may hold many things. Alaska, Minnesota, maybe an apartment? We'll see what God has in store. I've caught a sense of adventure lately and it's been hard to get rid of. 

In Father's Grace

~Harry

*Unless you live in Hawaii and you are deprived of the beautiful chill air of winter. 

Meanhwhile, Back at the Ranch

I've left the land of ice and snow and I've been welcomed home by a hot and humid 80 degree Christmas, (not what I was dreaming of). The Maine trip was outstanding and I've been told I've gotten the full New England experience. A week in an ice storm without power, pastries in Boston, backstage work for Ballet New England's Nutcracker and slipping on ice in Portsmouth New Hampshire. There's really not much left to do! I was hosted on Erik's [roommate] goat farm in Alfred Maine where I was introduced to treacherous weather conditions and massive sheep dogs. 

We spent much our time in Portsmouth where I had the opportunity to shadow Erik backstage for the nutcracker. I also got to take a few backstage shots and made some great friends as well.

New England has ample opportunities to impress a southerner. I found myself bewildered by simple things like a car covered in ice or slipping on what I thought was a puddle. I got to take some great shots of the ice storm after everything settled. Waking up to a world covered in an inch of ice isn't an everyday occurrence for a Louisianian such as myself.

Memory Making Story = Erik owned an old guitar without strings, something I wouldn't have paid $5 for. We had been talking about making the 40 minute drive to the coast one day so I could check it out and take the camera along with me. In a burst of creative genius and sheer awesomeness we came up with this!

Yes, we really did burn the guitar! It was completely engulfed in flames! If you want to see more you can visit hjlloyd.com and you'll find a few more shots in the fine art section. Look under American Beauty. 

To conclude the trip, we took a bus down to Boston for a day. I got ahold of some incredible clam chowder and the best pastries known to man! Erik made sure to give me the abbreviated freedom trail tour and brushed me up on some of my American history. A memorable experience to be sure!

I just put up my photography website, so if any of you get the chance, I invite you to check out hjlloyd.com!

In Father's Grace

~Adversarius

Hope of a Nation

Hope; almost sounds like a cliche doesn't it? 

Last week here at Belhaven we were graced with the presence of Dr. Billy Kim and his traveling Korean children's choir. Dr. Kim has been around the world teaching an evangelistic message to fallen world and following in the commendable footsteps of Rev Billy Graham. He brought us a very sobering but inspirational message about the current state of America and the role it should be playing in the world in contrast to the role it's playing now. It was pretty thought provoking and really started to stimulate my ideas about the degenerating state of our county.

 Kim's agenda is one of evangelism and hope and through the broken english and big smiles of the Korean children is was evident that he was trying to pass this on to the next generation. It didn't take long to realize what an impact the great land of the American media has on the rest of the world, as

 exemplified by the cheesy peace signs and barney style choreography in the choir. The choir had a sorry view of American culture but the US stands as a symbol of hope to them. Korea is plagued with division and political tension, and glorified America is their example of what life should really look like. At the end of the concert, when the children started waving the American flag, it became evident that they had hope in life because the red, white and blue was still flying and because God can be found in America.

What do we find inside our boarders? A failing economy, a rising death rate for a now purposeless cause, a church that's failing to fulfill it's role, and a president elect with a messianic reputation promising hope via socialism and taxes. This nation was founded on the principles of hard work, it's what makes America great. You can get far in life if you work hard for it. Yet we find the nation in a state of mediocrity, expecting the government to provide all of it's needs. We have a failing economy because of a war that can't be funded on top of a corrupt welfare system, and a poor healthcare system. Welfare and healthcare are a product of a lack in financial stability which can only be attributed to either laziness or lack of education on the subject. So then we point a finger at public education and want to improve it, so we add taxes for a bigger and better America. But because people are born wrapped in flesh we still aren't educated enough or the funds don't go where they're supposed to and we start the cycle all over again. Do you see this process of degeneration? It can be found all throughout history. If we let this saga continue our country will eat itself from the inside out! Have these Korean children been given a fallacious hope? 

"But Harrison, your putting God in a box. God is still sovereign and can work through anyone, even a radical socialist." Very true say I, God is sovereign over the affairs of men, and he can certainly work through anyone he wills. I'm not losing faith in the sovereignty of God, but losing faith in this nation's prayerful devotion to the God of sovereignty. The Bible states that a nation will be given the leader it deserves and if we deserve a government that doesn't promote hard work than so be it. "Ask and you shall receive." We've asked for a king and we've received a Saul. 

So where does the real dilemma lie? Is it the government's fault that we're in this predicament of ignorance? Can we blame this on good'ol "W" like we do everything else? I believe the root of the problem lies in the church's failure to fulfill it's role in society and the degeneration of the American family. The family should primarily be responsible for taking care of the elderly and infirm; those who can't provide of themselves. If they don't fulfill that duty for whatever reason, the responsibility falls into the hands of the church. Are either sphere of authority filling those shoes? Our big brother the government has taken that responsibility off of our hands. What about the morals that should be taught in our country? Is it the government's job to tell us what's right and wrong? If we're in Christ the law is written on our hearts, but shouldn't the church be teaching the people how they should live? A strong percent of the church is trying to accomplish this through condemnation and judgement instead of letting the grace of God work in and through his body. The world doesn't need to be repeatedly told that it's fallen but instead needs to taken by the hand and shown that there is hope. We see this avid longing for hope in the overwhelming majority that voted for the hope they think they can find in mortal man. So the answer to a finding a good and moral people is through bringing the gospel of grace. If we bring people to an understanding of the grace of God people will do well out of a desire to do so and that is this countries answer to education because people will desire to excel and learn. That in turn leads to personal financial stability, which leads to the elimination of the welfare system and maybe even a chunk of the healthcare system because families would rely on each other as they're intended to.

In all of this, the only reality and consistent figure is a gracious and loving God who exemplifies his sovereignty throughout history and still does to this very day. We share a hope with the Korean children's choir that cannot be taken away from us by a man or a nation, because we are grounded in the destiny of Jesus Christ. 

Artists are Always Poor

Next time you walk into a place of business, I want you to notice what's on the wall. Artwork is  busting at the seams! But an artist in todays market has to ask himself, "what makes that art sell, and not other pieces?" Take for instance, Jason's Deli. I walked into Jason's and found myself surrounded by trashy/meaningless looking shots of Europe, in cheap frames, yet someone had the taste to purchase them. What gives those pieces an edge over real artwork? Is it the affordability? Photographers find out very quickly that if you want to sell your art work, there has to be an appreciation for it... and bluntly, photography takes a back seat to canvas in the consumer's mind.

 What people don't seem to understand, is the depth behind a photographic print. In fact, I don't think many photographers know the depth they can bring to a photograph... and as a result we see many photographers with "technically" quality work, but no one will buy it simply because it means nothing to them.

What people don't seem to understand, is the depth behind a photographic print. In fact, I don't think many photographers know the depth they can bring to a photograph... and as a result we see many photographers with "technically" quality work, but no one will buy it simply because it means nothing to them.

 Pictures of trees and flowers are pretty, but if you're trying to sell it framed as artwork, art appreciators will find it lacking purpose. A piece of art should stir something in your soul and you should get a feeling in your stomach saying "Wow"! On the other hand, if you're looking to make money via filling wall space at Jason's Deli, it seems to me that you are a picture-taker, not an artist. 

Please don't miss read me, because there's a huge market for picture-takers, and it's very competitive. I don't belittle the picture taker, because I myself am a picture-taker aspiring to be an artist. But the role of an artist is to guide, and bring people to a deeper understanding of the Creature through their work. 

With that knowledge present, my plight is finding the admiration of art in the common man. Something that will stir the emotion of anyone. I don't know if I've ever had an original thought, but I'm looking for one. That's why I've founded "Harrison J Lloyd Photography & Design LLC. So I can share a gift with the world. 

Say tuned for my website announcement! My website will be brought to you via the genius of Ben Rojas from Washington state.  

In Father's Grace

~Adversarius

One door closes and another opens

The Teenpact chapter has come to a close, but I'll be keeping an extra bookmark there and bring back the memories often. National Convention was fantastic! God gave me the opportunity to worship Him with an incredible team of believers and musicians and He showed Himself in unbridled ways!

Parting is always such sweet sorrow, but why live in the past? I'm trying to occupy my time this summer with my own business! I'm starting a line of note cards and stationary with my photography portfolio that I've been harvesting around the nation. I'm also doing portraiture and selling framed work on the side.

I've decided passive income is the way to make it through college, and establishing myself through the summer is the way to do it. It's like taking a marketing class, a business management class, an economics class, a computer class and a photography class all in one!

It's ironic really... the camera has been out of commission for a while due to my stupidity and inattentive mind. It's on it's way back from Georgia where it was aptly left over a week ago... and I've been starting a photography business without a camera.

“Success is not a place one arrives, but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the

journey.” ~Alex Noble

In Christ

~Adversarius

Meanwhile... back in the bayou

Welcomed home by a hot and humid Louisiana I find myself unexpectedly comforted by mosquito's and thunder storms. Dad continues in his midlife crisis and I sit on the back porch gazing into a sea of flowers and statuary amidst my yard. Saturating myself in as much media as I can get my hands on while I'm away from my fast I spend my time at home pounding my head with music and writing the list of movies I have yet to see.

Three weekers are never easy, and this past one was no exception. North Carolina was a good class. I always love working with Dom and Elise. Our state co over there is wonderful too, so it made for a pretty smooth class logistically. I was thrilled to finally eat at the alleged bojangles I've always adopted as my adjective of choice.

Oregon has a lot of lama, Buffalo and liberals. With a golden lumberjack on the crest of their fortress of a capitol, you'd think the state would be a little more conservative... but kicking students out of the capitol for asking people if they believe in God, reflects otherwise.

The Pacific Ocean was gorgeous though. Cold as ice, but it was kinda cool to be wearing a jacket on the beach. Ankia's hands took a brush with death and caught second degree frostbite. Took a few hours and a trip to the emergency room at 10pm to get them moving again, but she toughed it out pretty well.

The class ran fairly well... my schedule was slaughtered to pieces. Being a PD gets old, and leading worship is missed.

God really showed up in Oklahoma 2. We were all pretty spiritually dry at the begining of the week, and Father really brought us to our knees. It ended up being a great class and it was nice to have the chance to lead worship God again.

Fuzz Thompson's classes = Staff adventures, serious staff meetings, and come to Jesus talks.

Oklahoma has the finest arts festival in the nation, in addition to the best host family to go with :)

In Father's Grace

~Adversarius

Half Dollar

Three months of intense teaching and ultimate Frisbee behind me, and three more months to look forward to. Slaughtered schedules, late nights and coffee really do change lives. I’m learning a little PR, how to deal with people, getting a little taste of legalism here and there in the home school community. Father teaches me more and more about Grace as each day goes by. How to be content in each circumstance, and find Him even in the little things.

I’ve gathered a few quotes that I’ve picked up from the season. Enjoy!

“People who worry are people who are looking around. People who are confident, content, and trusting in the Lord are people who are looking up… Discontentment, complaining, and worry, ultimately, are a reflection on our heavenly Father. Other people determine what God is like based on the way that we respond to His provision.”
~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss

We never get better government than we demand, or worse government than we allow.
~ Brad Johnson, Secretary of State in Montana

"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be."
~Thomas a Kempis

Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first — the most basic — expression of Americanism. Thus the Founding Fathers of America saw it, and thus with God's help, it will continue to be."— President Gerald R. Ford, 1974
“You learn more about people’s moral and political behavior if you know their image of God than most any other measure”
~Christopher Bader
“It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound while our idea of God is erroneous or inadequate”~ A.W. Tozer

“If there is no God then everything is permitted, only one meaningful decision in life… how I will die.”
~Fydor Dostoevsky

The grass isn’t greener on the other side… so bring a watering can when you jump the fence.
~ A Wise Man
Life is not a matter of holding the good cards, but sometimes, playing the poor hand well.
~ Fortune Cookie

One of the greatest sources of energy is taking pride in the work of your hands.
~ Spokes

In Father’s Grace
~Adversarius